Faculty members bid final farewell to WRHS

NICOLE YOUKANA STAFF REPORTER

The Landmark periodically prints selections from The Wachusett Echo, the student newspaper at Wachusett Regional High School. All articles and photographs areby WRHS student journalists. The following stories appeared in the last issue of The Echo before school broke for the summer.

After watching significant changes and improvements to the high school over more than 30 years, three staff members will say good-bye as this school year comes to a close.

Art teacher Charleen Wilcox and guidance counselors Cynthia Stark and Thomas Olson will [retired] on June 23, 2008 - the last day of school.

Wilcox, a Wachusett teacher for 35 years as well as an alumna of the class of 1969, announced her retirement on November 1, 2007.

Wilcox said she has taught every art class offered by the department.

"I was a part of the department as it grew," said Wilcox.

The art department - with seven full-time teachers - has significantly increased from just a single staff member when Wilcox graduated.

Charleen Wilcox "I've done so much over the past 35 years," she said. "I have become very active and involved in everything around the school."

"I was Most School Spirited in the Class of '69. I think I brought that spirit with me," Wilcox said. "I think that if anyone had checked, I would be bleeding green."

Wilcox plans on coming back as a substitute teacher. "I still love teaching," she said. "I'm not leaving because I want to, I'm leaving because it's my time."

According to junior Kalena Wheeler, Wilcox's teaching abilities will be missed.

"She's a great teacher who really knows what she's talking about," said Wheeler. "If you're confused about something she'll know and give you a direct answer."

Former health concerns leave Wilcox wanting to experience new opportunities. "I'm a cancer survivor. I want to seek new options and activities," said Wilcox. "You never know what your future's going to hold or how long you have."

Cynthia Stark Guidance counselor Cynthia Stark, who has worked at the school for four years, has been in her profession for almost 34 years.

A Wachusett alumna as well, Stark has never regretted her work at as a guidance counselor.

"I enjoy what I do. I like getting up and going to work every day. I like the people who I work with and all the kids, all of you guys," said Stark.

According to Stark, exciting new opportunities await her in retirement. She hopes to volunteer for Meals on Wheels, the Salvation Army, and her favorite organization, Girls Inc.

According to senior Robert Sturgis, Stark exceeded his expectations as a guidance counselor.

"She actually seems to care about me," said Sturgis.

Guidance counselor Thomas Olson, who has worked in the district for 34 years, said he will miss his job, but he would like to move on to another career.

"There has never been a dull moment," said Olson. "If I had to do it over again - yes, I certainly would because it has been really rewarding."

Tom Olson According to senior Sarah Dean, Olson's sincerity and dedication to his job will be missed.

" H e helped me a lot to get settled in," said Dean. "He was there for me emot ion- ally as a new student my senior year, which is something I really appreciated."